Réussir ou mourir

The film is supposedly a biographical account of 50 cents own life. I am sure a lot of artistic liberties has been taken and then some more.

It is well directed, well acted, has lots of violence, swearing, rap music and there is some tenderness as well.

It's another story of someone who ends up on the wrong side of the tracks, gets in with some hoodlums, ends in jail and finds redemption through music.

If you do not like rap music it is not for you. 50 Cents does OK in the lead role but he surrounds himself with a good supporting cast and a sure- footed director.

Never having known his father and with his mother brutally murdered, Marcus had few options open to him other than the life that the streets and gangs offer. Coming up within the ranks of Majestic's crew sees him earning a street rep but really his dream is to make it in the rap game; and while the crime offers him money and power, it also offers danger.

It is clear from reading reviews on this site that some viewers have simply come to this film with their minds made up that 50 Cent is rubbish and that the whole musical genre has little to offer. Doing this does make wonder why they bothered and it did confuse me as to why people who hate 50 Cent would bother to come to his film. Anyway, I'm not a massive fan and, outside of his first album, I have almost nothing of value from the man, but having liked 8 Mile I decided to try this. Unfortunately the same is true of the film as of 50's music in that it is obvious, lacking individuality and flair even if it is "OK" on the whole. The plot is engaging enough but there is nothing in regards interest or insight – just a focus on events. Thus we get a so-so film that moves through from start to finish and then ends but with no good characters to speak of it does end up with whether or not your interest in 50 as a person can sustain you.

As an actor he cannot bring much to the screen because, like with his music he doesn't have a great range. His mumbling is not the issue, it is just that (amazingly) he seems to have nothing to reach for in regards his experiences. He cannot find depth in his character and it is incredibly superficial and dull. Akinnuoye-Agbaje seems content to simply vary his Oz character slightly and take the money which is what he does. Likewise Howard, Walters and others all just seem to be there for the exposure and money rather than anything to get their teeth into acting wise. Bryant is much, much better than this offers her the chance to show and, as much as she tries, she cannot find much to do. Sheridan may have seen something in the material to peak his interest but the reality is much different and, as slick as it all looks, he cannot pull much out of it as substance.

Overall then this is a roundly so-so film but it is not as bad as many will have you believe. The problem is that it offers almost nothing to the casual viewer looking for character, plot and value in the material because these are lacking. The performances are so-so despite some big names in there and 50 Cent only exposes his weaknesses as an actor – unable to even draw on his own life and only producing an unconvincing and wooden performance and character as a result.

most of the people who gave this a bad review are probably the same people that gave eminem's film 8 mile a good review. both films depict the life's of the two rappers and in my opinion this film is better because 50 Cent has been through MUCH more in his life than Eminem has. the only difference is that 50 cent is black. People hatred for 50 cent and or maybe gangster rap probably have given them a tainted view on this film. it is not glorifying drug dealing etc like other films such as American gangster with denzil washington or film series such as breaking bad does, it is just merely telling a story of someones life. The fact that most of it is a true story should be enough to help people sit back and learn about the upbringing of one of the biggest stars this century. not a great film but no where near terrible.

The criticism of this film reminds me of that received for Jarhead. People said Jarhead was not a war movie, and the Get Rich or Die Trying had to little to do with rap. My question is, why doesn't this make it a bad film? And to make one last comparison, this film way out did anything 8 Mile attempted (much more of a social critique).

The strength in this film is derived from it's black and white presentation of the "dope game" and how for fifty it was either sleep in a cellar, or buy a Mercedes. Sheridan did a good depiction of how selling drugs is an easy escape, a way to make you feel like a man. The best and most powerful scene in this film is when someone slips a razor blade in his solitary cell in order for him to kill himself. He remarks, "I thought about it". I also enjoyed the non-romanticized violence, and how the drug game was not altogether glorified.

The downfall of this film is it's over dramatized scenes, and it may be a little to long, however, a good critique of Black Urban society, and well worth your 8 dollars.

I have read through all of these comments, and am astounded at the amount of negativity towards it. I cannot believe that any film within the IMDb database can be voted as 1 out of 10, thats just stupid. Alrite, i agree its not an Oscar winning film, but I enjoyed it! OK, 50 cent's acting is brilliant, but he pulls it off! The film boasts a reasonable story based on his life, and to be honest it wasn't amazing, but it was generally enjoyable! Lost's Mr Eko played his character well, as did Terrence Howard! And Bill Duke, as the Ghetto Godfather is astoundingly brilliant! 8 Mile was a good film, and this is as good! So please, ignore the negative views and watch this film!!!!